2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Recap: Gorgeous Models and Unforgettable Looks
By: Olivia Armstead
Icons from the fashion industry, entertainment industry, and more all gathered in New York City to watch the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on October 15.
According to TODAY.com, the show briefly took a hiatus after it was cancelled back in 2019 due to declining ratings and controversy, but returned in 2024 after five years. This year was the show’s second year back after the break, and fans were able to get a glimpse of some new faces and looks gracing the runway.
Influencers Quelin Blackwell and Gabriela Moura took to the runway, sparking conversation around non-models being able to participate. Despite backlash, the ladies were able to make their runway debut and sported lovely PINK ensembles.
Blackwell and Moura were not the only newcomers to face backlash surrounding their runway debut. Basketball player Angel Reese, who made history as the first professional athlete to walk in a Victoria’s Secret Fashion show, and Olympic gymnast Suni Lee also received some comments surrounding their involvement in the show.
Specifically for Reese, internet users were extremely harsh, comparing her appearance to cartoon characters and bashing her looks. As reported by the US Sun, Reese responded to the backlash and stated, “I’m not going to shy away from looking like this, because I work [...] for this body. Being sexy is something that I love and always embrace.”
Along with the newcomers, familiar faces such as Anok Yai, Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima, Barbara Palvin, and Lily Aldridge walked in the show.
This year’s show highlighted the diversity in women’s bodies with supermodel Jasmine Tookes taking the stage pregnant and fans praising Ashley Graham’s natural, curvy figure.
Nia Walcott, a student serving as vice president of the New Era Modeling Troupe at Hampton University, said, “I think that visibility in a fashion show of this scale is inspiring to those aspiring to enter into the fashion and modeling world. To see such inclusivity on the runway inspires those who want to design to practice inclusivity in the styling. It also lets people know that the description of a “perfect model” is changing.”
“This year’s show feels like a reflection of where fashion is truly going with bold, inclusive, and expressive models and looks. You can tell the industry is leaning more into authenticity and individuality, which is something I love”, said Niyah Claytor, president of Hampton University’s New Era Modeling Troupe. “It’s less about following trends and more about being yourself. I think that’s what makes this year’s show so special. It feels real, it feels current, and it celebrates every kind of beauty”, she continued.
